Mara Banfield named NCAA national coordinator of women’s lacrosse officials

Mara Banfield, who has more than two decades of officiating collegiate women's lacrosse, has been named the NCAA national coordinator of officials for the sport.

Banfield, who has officiated NCAA women's lacrosse games since 2003, will begin her role immediately. She has been a member and contributor to the Collegiate Women's Lacrosse Officials Association, which includes being on the organization's national board of directors (2018-2021) and serving as CWLOA education coordinator since June.

During her collegiate officiating career, Banfield worked NCAA national championship games in Division II (2019) and Division III (2023). She was also an alternate for the Division I national semifinals in 2016 and 2022.

Banfield's on-field officiating highlights also include working league finals for the Atlantic 10 Conference (2016), Big East Conference (2019) and Atlantic Coast Conference (2019).

"I am incredibly honored to be named the NCAA women's lacrosse national coordinator of officials," Banfield said. "This role offers a unique opportunity to continue supporting the growth of the sport I am passionate about while advancing the development and leadership of officials across the country. I look forward to working with a talented community of professionals to uphold the highest standards of officiating and ensure the integrity and success of women's lacrosse at all levels."

Samantha Eustace, the Division I Women's Lacrosse Committee chair and head coach at Mercer, said Banfield stood out in a strong field of candidates for the national coordinator of officials role.

"Mara's officiating resume within women's lacrosse is tremendous, and we're delighted with this appointment," Eustace said. "Mara's experience with the Collegiate Women's Lacrosse Officials Association will ensure college officials and coaches receive consistent information for the betterment of the game."

Joan Sitterly, the executive director of CWLOA, added: "It will be a seamless transition as Mara served in a similar educational role within the CWLOA prior to her NCAA appointment. The CWLOA leadership is looking forward to working with Mara in the development of training materials as well as officiating practices. The partnership between the NCAA and the CWLOA will benefit all stakeholders in women's lacrosse by ensuring they receive the same educational message and information."

Banfield was a women's lacrosse team captain and four-year letter winner at Ohio State, where she earned a bachelor's degree in natural resources in 1999. She also has a doctorate in educational leadership from Youngstown State (2020) and a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from Cleveland State (2004). She serves as superintendent of Valley STEM Academy and director of Mahoning County Career and Technical Center in Ohio.

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